DA hike updates, March 25 -- Expectations for a Cabinet announcement of Dearness Allowance (DA) hike for central government employees are high as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led meeting gathered today for its likely last session this month.

Increase in DA or Dearness Relief (DR) for more than 49.19 lakh employees and 68.72 lakh pensioners under the January-June cycle has been announced in this month in the past two years - 28 March in 2025, 12 March in 2024.

Dearness Allowance or Dearness Relief is a cost-of-living adjustment included in a government employee's salary. It aims to offset inflation and maintain purchasing power.

It comprises a part of the employees and pensioners' basic salary and is updated regularly to account for...